Aquarium and Pond Care with EcoBio-Block

Having a pond in your yard can be a great way to enhance your landscape while also providing you with an enjoyable hobby. Cultivating a thriving pond environment can be a challenge at times, however, and it is not the right hobby for everyone. Not only do you need to install the proper equipment to keep your pond running properly, but you also need to engage in some basic cleaning and seasonal preparation tasks. In addition to preparing your pond for the winter season, you will also need to do some work in the spring to clean out your pond and to prepare it for the upcoming spring and summer. Read more to learn the basics about spring cleaning for your pond.

Planting Your Pond

Spring is the time to make your pond beautiful!

An important part of rejuvenating your pond in the spring is planting and rearranging the waterscape. If you are a creative person, you probably get a great deal of joy from arranging and decorating your pond. Do not be afraid to get creative with large stones and various types of plants – your pond is your canvas and you should feel free to decorate it as you see fit. Aquatic planters are a great way to add some vegetation to your waterscape without a great deal of hassle. These planters allow you to cultivate your favorite plants without subjecting them to nibbling by your pond fish. You can use an aquatic planter to cultivate almost any kind of plant, both aquatic and terrestrial, in order to provide your fish with shade and to enhance the appearance of your pond.

Substrate and Fertilizers

If you want to incorporate plants directly into your pond you will need to learn the basics about planting media and fertilizers. Check your local home and garden supply store for specially formulated aquatic planting media – these substrates are designed to provide aquatic plants with the nutrients they need to thrive. Aquatic planting media is lightweight and looser than traditional potting soil to allow for proper drainage and root development – many formulas also contain a variety of minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium to support healthy plant growth. In addition to providing your plants with a high-quality planting medium, you may also want to consider fertilizer. Certain fertilizers that are formulated for water gardening will not only improve the health of your plants, but will also help to maintain high water quality in your pond. You may also want to look into plant tabs which can be dropped right into the pond to provide plants with added nutrients to support lush foliage.

Additional Tips and Tools

After a long winter, you will need to do some basic cleaning in your pond. Invest in a set of quality tools including pruning equipment, rubber gloves and whatever other equipment you need to clean out all the leaves and other debris that accumulated over the winter. Many pond owners choose to turn off their pond filter over the winter – if you are among this group, you will need to restart your filter in the spring and begin cultivating a new colony of beneficial bacteria to replace those that died over the winter. Beneficial bacteria play an incredibly important role in maintaining high water quality in the pond. As organic debris such as decaying plant matter, fish feces and uneaten fish food accumulate in the pond, ammonia and nitrite levels will rise and the water quality will decline.

In addition to starting up your pond filter, you may also want to consider adding EcoBio-Block nsM to your pond to help clear the water. These blocks are made from natural volcanic rock, infused with live beneficial bacteria that will help to reestablish the nitrogen cycle in your pond. One set of four EcoBio-Blocks nsM is sufficient for 100 to 400 gallons of water and once they are in place in your pond, you do not have to replace them for three years or more. Before you know it, the nitrogen cycle will be fully established in your pond and your fish will benefit from clean, clear water as well as a healthy aquatic environment.

Setting up an outdoor turtle pond can be a wonderful addition to your landscape

Have you ever thought about installing a turtle pond in your backyard but didn’t think you could do it yourself? Installing a turtle pond is not as difficult as many people think – all you need is the right resources and equipment to get the job done properly. Keeping aquatic turtles as a pet is an enjoyable experience but it can be difficult to accomplish indoors because you need a very large tank. Installing a turtle pond in your backyard is a simple solution to the space problem and it is also a great way to enhance the landscaping in your yard.

Things to Consider

Before you make the decision to build a turtle pond in your backyard you should take the time to consider whether it is the right choice for you. Think about the area you live in – is the climate conducive to maintaining a working pond year-round? Certain species of aquatic turtle like red eared sliders are very hardy but others may not be able to withstand cold winters. In addition to the climate you should also consider whether you have the space for a pond. Most turtles prefer having a large area of shallow water to having a small area of deep water, so in order to create the ideal turtle pond, you may need a great deal of space. Not only do you need to provide your turtles with water to swim in, but you should also give them a basking area and a portion of land around the pond so they can come out of the water if they want to. You may also want to think about whether or not you want to keep fish in the pond with your turtles because this could affect the set-up. Keep in mind that turtles are likely to prey on small species of fish. It may also be difficult to control the water quality in a turtle pond to the degree required to keep fish healthy.

Building Your Pond

Once you’ve determined that you have the space and the proper environment to cultivate a turtle pond you can begin thinking about the details of actually building the pond. Select a location in your yard that provides plenty of open space to build the pond – it should not be directly under trees that might drop leaves into the pond and it should not be at the base of a slope where it might be affected by run-off. Though you can find pre-formed pond liners at your local garden supply store, building a custom pond is the best way to cater to the needs of your turtles. To build a custom pond you simply have to dig out the pond area and lay down some rubber lining to make the pond water-tight. You will need to use large rocks to anchor the pond lining and to help blend the pond with your existing landscaping – these rocks will also provide your turtles with places to bask and with a means of climbing out of the pond. Be sure to include some areas of open space around the pond as well as stands of vegetation to give your turtles a place to hide. Most importantly, however, you need to install a high-quality pond filter that is large enough to cycle the entire pond volume several times per hour. Unless you live in an area where the climate stays warm all year-round, you may also want to think about installing a pond heater.

Other Ideas

In order for your turtles to remain happy and healthy it is important that you keep the water in your pond as clean and clear as possible. Equipping your pond with a high-quality filter and taking the time to remove solid waste and debris from the pond will go a long way in keeping your water quality high. Another simple trick you might try is to add an EcoBio-Block Wave to your turtle pond. EcoBio-Blocks are made from natural materials and are infused with the beneficial bacteria needed to maintain the nitrogen cycle. After being introduced into your pond, these bacteria will rapidly multiply, working to break down waste products, helping to keep your pond water clean and clear, and reducing maintenance needs. A single EcoBio-Block is large enough to accommodate 300 to 1000 gallons of pond water and it is safe for all kinds of fish and aquatic life.

Once you have successfully built and set up your outdoor pond you may think that the hard part is over. While building your pond may indeed be the most difficult part of the process, you should also put a considerable amount of effort toward selecting the fish for your pond. You cannot simply go to the pet store and purchase a dozen feeder goldfish and expect them to thrive in your pond. There are only a few types of fish that are suited to living in outdoor ponds and each variety has certain requirements. Before you purchase the fish for your pond, perform some basic research to decide which type of pond fish is best for you and for your pond size.

Types of Pond Fish

Colorful koi

When it comes to outdoor ponds, koi are the most well-known species of ornamental fish used for stock. Koi come in a variety of shapes and colors including black, gold, red and orange. These fish look similar to goldfish but grow much larger and exhibit a wider variety of shapes in their fins and bodies. Because they grow to be quite large, koi require a pond capacity of at least 1000 gallons in order to thrive. These fish also require a variegated diet including fresh vegetables, fruit and specially formulated koi foods.

Goldfish come in a variety of shapes and colors which makes them a popular choice as a pond fish. Some of the most popular varieties of goldfish include Comets, Shubunkins and Orandas. Comets come in red, orange and white varieties – the calico varieties are called Shubunkin Comets. Orandas are a type of fancy goldfish known for the prominent hood that develops on top of its head.  In general, goldfish are a hearty species which does well in ponds with adequate filtration and aeration. Most goldfish prefer peaceful or slow-moving water and require a pond capacity of 250 gallons or more to thrive.

Precautions to Take with Pond Fish

Just as you should exercise caution when stocking your home aquarium, be careful when selecting the fish for your pond. Some species can grow very large or may become aggressive around other species. By doing some research before you purchase your pond fish you can prevent a disaster from happening later. Comets, for example, can be aggressive and should not be mixed with most other types of pond fish aside from koi. Goldfish and Orandas are generally peaceful species that can get along with a variety of species.

Tips for Keeping your Pond Healthy

A healthy pond requires routine maintenance in order to keep water quality high. Because goldfish and other pond fish are notoriously high producers of waste, adequate filtration is key to maintaining water quality. To give your pond a boost, consider installing one or more EcoBio-Block Waves. These blocks are infused with beneficial bacteria that multiply naturally to establish a colony in your pond. Once established, this colony of beneficial bacteria will help to break down organic waste products, remove odors and clarify cloudy pond water. While you should still maintain proper filtration and execute regular maintenance procedures, an EcoBio-Block Wave can help to keep your pond clean and healthy for your fish.

With the right landscaping and proper maintenance, even the most basic koi pond can be beautiful. However, if you really want your backyard pond to make a statement you should consider turning it into a water garden. Though it may sound like a complicated project, transforming your existing pond into a water garden can be as simple as adding a few potted aquatic plants. Not only will these plants enhance the appearance of your pond, but they will also benefit your koi and make your pond a healthier environment in which your fish can thrive.

Types of Pond Plants

When it comes to aquatic pond plants there are a variety of options which can generally be divided into four different groups. Oxygenators are the category of pond plants which grow entirely beneath the surface of the water where they help to increase the oxygen content and provide cover for your fish when they need it. Floating plants are those that do not need to be rooted in a pot or planter. These plants float on the surface, providing shade which helps to reduce algae growth in your pond.
Deep water pond plants like water lilies and lotus are largely ornamental. Some of these plants produce beautiful blooms which serve to add color to your water garden. The final category of pond plants includes bog plants such as cattails, grasses and reeds. These plants grow best in shallow areas and are most often used to blend the pond into the rest of the landscaping in your yard.

The Benefits of a Water Garden

The benefits of transforming your koi pond into a water garden extend far beyond the aesthetic. By adding live plants to your pond you will not only be making the pond a healthier environment for your fish but you also will be decreasing the necessary amount of maintenance as well. Aquatic plants use the waste produced by your fish as fertilizer and, in exchange, produce the oxygen your fish need in order to breathe. This is an extremely important benefit because koi require highly-oxygenated water in order to thrive. Live plants will also compete for nutrients with pond algae, thus reducing the amount of unsightly algae growing in your pond.

How to Add Plants to Your Pond

Before purchasing your pond plants, perform some basic research to decide what type of plants you want. As you research, determine what the potting requirements are for each type you have chosen. Fabric pots and plastic pots with no holes are the most common types of pots used in water gardens because they keep the potting soil contained and they can be moved easily. For those of your plants which need to be rooted, fill your pots with clay soil and anchor them with sand or gravel. Place the pots in the desired location within your pond, positioning your plants in the arrangement you find most attractive. Floating plants do not require pots – they can be left to drift along the surface of your water garden.

If you want to get the most out of your water garden, try adding a few EcoBio-Blocks to your pond. The EcoBio-Block nsM is a four-pack of water-clarifying stones made from natural zeolite and infused with beneficial bacteria. The special nitrifying bacteria infused in the EcoBio-Blocks will multiply rapidly once you have added the stones to your pond. These bacteria will clarify the water, remove odor and help to decrease the frequency of necessary pond maintenance. If the water in your koi pond is kept clean and clear, it will be a better environment for both your fish and your aquatic plants.

Algae growth can be a serious problem for both indoor aquariums and outdoor ponds. In an outdoor pond, a limited amount of algae can lend your pond a natural appearance and it can also provide a healthy food source for your fish. If algae spreads too quickly, however, and if its growth is not controlled it can threaten the healthy balance you have worked so hard to maintain in your pond. To avoid having to deal with a sudden algae problem, take early and consistent steps to control and limit algae growth within your pond.

The Pros and Cons of Algae in Ponds

Algae are single-celled organisms that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich water. In an outdoor pond, algae are an essential part of the food chain. Algae subsist on the waste produced by your fish and, in turn, become a food source for your fish. In limited quantities, algae can enhance the appearance of your pond by giving it a more natural look but if it grows out of control algae can cover the surfaces in your pond with a green or brown slime. In addition to this slimy muck, algae can also turn your pond water an unsightly shade of green. This may reduce the clarity of your pond water and make it more difficult for you to view your fish. In addition to the aesthetic problems induced by its growth, algae can also deplete the oxygen supply in your pond water which will make it a stressful environment for your fish.

Factors that Contribute to Algae Growth

Like any aquatic plant, algae require nutrients to grow and if your pond provides an abundance of these nutrients you may experience a problem with algae. Organic matter and uneaten fish food settle at the bottom of your pond which will, over time, result in a build-up of ammonia and nitrate on which algae can feed. Direct sunlight is another contributing factor in the growth of algae so if your pond is not shaded by trees you may have trouble with algae. Though it can be harmful to your pond if too much algae is allowed to grow, most ponds experience a “bloom” of algae in the spring. In most cases, your pond will find its balance after a few weeks and return to its normal clarity.

Tips for Controlling Algae

Installing an adequate filtration system in your pond is an easy way to limit the growth of algae. Many pond filters utilize chemical filtration which helps to remove the wastes and toxins that would otherwise provide a food source for algae. Adding aquatic plants to your pond is another easy solution because plants will compete with algae for the same nutrients, thus limiting the potential for algae to grow and spread.  Introducing some floating plants like water lilies may also help to control algae growth by cooling the water and providing shade.

In addition to these measures, adding an EcoBio-Block Wave or nsM to your outdoor pond can be effective in clarifying the water and reducing algae growth. EcoBio-Blocks are made from natural zeolite and special cement that has been infused with special beneficial bacteria. Once the block has been installed in your pond it will release bacteria regularly which will work to break down organic waste into ammonia, then nitrites and then into nitrates. EcoBio-Block keeps water healthy which discourages the growth of algae. It also appears to encourage the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which changes nitrates (on which bacteria feed) to nitrogen gas. This product is a simple way to control algae and a great way to keep your pond water clean and clear with no extra effort required on your part.